C-sections have become very common – in fact, one in three babies are born by c-section in many western countries.
While these countries battle to reduce the number of babies birthed this way, c-sections remain a big percent of all births.
A group of delivery nurses from the US have developed an invention that is set to drastically improve the experience for mothers giving birth by c-section, as well as offering very important benefits for their babies.
Nurses Kimberly Jarrelle, Deborah Burbic and Jess Niccoli have a combined 50 years worth of experience in attending both vaginal and c-section births.
During this time, they’d noticed that immediate skin-to-skin contact was less common for c-section mothers, and how empowering it was for the mothers who did get to experience that immediate bonding.
There had to be a better way for one in three birthing women.
C-Sections and Delayed Skin-to-Skin Contact
The delivery nurses noted women having c-sections were often told immediate skin-to-skin contact was not possible in the operating room, leaving many mothers-to-be disappointed. It isn’t unusual for women who give birth via c-section to have to wait for 30 minutes or longer for that all important first cuddle with their newborn.
Skin-to-skin after the birth can encourage bonding, increase maternal confidence and help to establish breastfeeding. It’s something many mothers take for granted nowadays, but for those unable to hold their babies at the birth, it can be heartbreaking.
The three nurses decided to do something about it, to ensure more mothers could enjoy cuddles with their babies in those vital first minutes of life. Their invention, which has been three years in the making, was brainstormed over cups of coffee. The three friends researched literature highlighting the importance of immediate skin-to-skin contact to prove that the invention was not only useful but necessary.
Their simple invention, the Skin-To-Skin C-Section Drape, is expected to change the way c-section mamas experience birth. The drape features a sealable flap which allows doctors to easily pass the baby to mama once the baby is born. Once the baby has been passed to the new mother, the flap can be resealed allowing the surgical site to remain sterile.
The skin-to-skin c-section drape has only recently launched onto the market, and it may take some time before it reaches your local hospital. It’s currently being tested at a number of hospitals across the US, and the nurses hope the product will soon become a must-have item for obstetric surgeons. If you’re due to have a c-section, ask your healthcare provider about skin-to-skin c-section drapes and whether immediate skin-to-skin will be a possibility in the operating room.
See the Skin-To-Skin C-Section Drape in action in the video below.
Mother-Friendly C-Sections
For those hoping to have a mother-friendly c-section, this product will allow the immediate skin-to-skin contact that many mothers crave. You can find out more about mother-friendly cesareans in BellyBelly’s article 12 ways to have a mother-friendly c-section.
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